Dia's: Part Three.

And then there was just three. I wanted to end the previous post on a lighter note but... There's no hiding the fight we had. I won't hide information unless it is necessary and requested to remain in silence.

We got back to the house and didn't even make it inside before we were at one another’s throats.

Dia became irrational, boiling with anger that emotions clouded her thinking. I had the opposite reaction; I became closed off and analytic towards Dia. Towards Josie. Towards everything. Dia was more compassionate and fiery, I was cold and vengeful. And we clashed, because with the Caged One now manifesting herself (behind Dia) I knew things were becoming more dangerous. And at that point I was about ready to murder Gallows and Graves just to save us all from future trouble. Dia argued against it, which heightened the tension. It brought it back to the root of the issues, people dying, Road Runner, which finally came down to the bottom line... The masks she still wore. Which prevented me from telling her everything as well. And we fought until Josie intervened, separating ourselves. Josie and Dia took to inside and I remained outside until nightfall.

Josie cooked and played mom, despite the tension being high. I spent most of my time wandering the perimeters of the property, ended up finding a pile of dead mockingbirds behind a tree. The same blue feather there, partially shoved down the highest bird's throat. I kicked the tree in frustration, rustling above alerting me. Looking up I saw birds perched within the tree, a horde of them staring down upon me. Watching intently, it was eerie but familiar. Given the hints that have been piling up I came to the conclusion it was something that needed confronting. I plucked the blue feather and slipped it into my back pocket, moving back towards the house once the sun began to set.

Dia spent her time in her room while I positioned myself near the window Graves frequently stood before. I looked for what she was watching for, hours passed and Josie eventually fell into a slumber leaving me by myself. I figured Dia fell asleep as well, which left me time to focus on these sorts of things. Looking for whatever my worries were screaming at me to find. The Caged One paced behind me, manifesting outside of mere reflections now which only began to tell me the two of us were growing closer in some way or another. Did that mean we were to merge? Or were we switching places as time went on? Or would we just spiral into madness instead?

She never answered when I asked. I decided there was no point in wasting my breath on such things anymore. Truth is, something is happening and I don't know what to expect. My mind is memorizing things, data is saving rather than doing the opposite, combat reflexes both mentally and physically have undergone transformation of sorts, adapting to things in those senses has been good but progress ceases when all things come to the Caged One. She's either a blockade or a enhancer at this point, and I can't quite figure out which. Watching her glide across the floor nearly, I can't figure out either whether I'm the blockade or enhancer to her either. It's our body, but she has the memories and experiences from before, she locked herself away within this brain as a means to regain herself. Our-self? So what does that make me? Apart of the plan, or a fluke? Are we the same piece to the puzzle, is this our same equation? Or am I the odd number out?

As usual, he never answers. Her eyes stare at me inquisitively, as if curious as to my behavior. Like I'm some experiment to her, and I can't help but see the connections between the two of us. Which makes me hope really I'm not some fluke in this universe, and this is a part of the plan after-all.

And then Dia exited the shadows at the shut of a door, walking right through the Caged One. I watched her dissolve away until nothing was left. Dia came to stand next to me, looking me over briefly. I hadn't cleaned up since before. I could hear her take a deep breath, "So, when are we going to talk about this? You can't keep putting it all off. Your reasons have run out, Shady. I think... There's been some things you've been hiding from me, and I want to know about them."

I adjusted to look at Dia from the corner of my eyes, quirking a brow at her words. "You'd know a thing or two about hiding things, no offense." I said bluntly, but earnestly meant no offense despite my indifferent tone. "What is it you want to know exactly, Dia? Dead animals? The flickers in the corners of your eyes? Why the duo didn't end up killing us -sooner-? Sources of information?" I listed off one by one before turning onto Dia, facing her directly with my arms tightly crossed beneath my chest. "Because I'd damn well would like to know why these signs of the Fears are showing up all around you, where your information comes from as well, just what you have been doing behind closed doors. I think we need a session of twenty questions, Dia." I glanced out the window, thinking something was seen. It was brief, I returned my gaze to Dia patiently a moment later. "Ask your question."

Dia snickered at my irritation as she sat down with her back against the wall, next to the window and myself. She drew her knees up to her chest, looking up to me. "I see you've been doing your homework, though I'd love to know where you found the time to keep an eye on all of us, the situation, and our sleeping arrangements. I suppose my first question will be this: Who is Joshua? And don't lie. I'll know if you do."

I felt my rage nibbling away at my insides, it didn't surface beyond that. I focused back on the outdoors, trying to catch sight of one of our many watchers. "Just like I'll know if you're lying to me Dia." I stated flatly, a warning, perhaps even a threat at this point. After earlier I wasn't about ready to have us skip into one another’s arms, I don't easily forgive. I communicate and learn better through explanations and facts. This was the time where I had to learn whether or not Dia was trustworthy still like I had imagined she possibly could be before. "Joshua is a boy I grew up with. Apparently. I know this to be certain by looking back through my old shit. There were four of us, him, the blonde girl I mention in previous posts, and Billy. The latter killed by Road Runner's schemes. Blondie is missing. Joshua is pissed." I smiled bitterly. "They were my family away from my family, and my family before this family, you can say. The people who know me better than I know me, apparently. And that's Joshua." I narrowed my gaze outside at the reminder. The person who knew me best hated me the most right now. "I saw the notebook, Dia. What is your game?"

I heard Dia suck in a breath, cursing to herself when she realized how careless she must have been lately. Which made sense, given the nightmares and company. Her sloppiness was my advantage. "The notebook is the last piece of (insert real name here). Pictures, confessions, visions, artwork... Hell, even a prophecy or two. But mostly it's just my way or reaching out to all the people I know will read it. Don't worry. I'll get rid of it soon." She paused, looking at me curiously. "How much did you read?"

I didn't even look at her. I didn't need to. "Everything." I bluntly admitted. "I know all of it."

Dia stood and put her hands into her pockets, she was trying not to hyperventilate. "When the FUCK did you get the time to look over 150 pages of my insane shit? Does that mean you know about yours, Josie's, Gallows' and Graves' pages?" Her eyes grew wide, realizing something. "You read the ways I was supposed to die. And that means... You read the back."

I turned my head to look at Dia fully, not even trying to hide my observing and analyzing of her. "When you can't sleep you come to make time for things." I said offhandedly. "And when I choose to apply it I can be quite stealthy." I didn't try and hide that there was more I was capable of than I allowed myself to use. "As I stated before, everything."

"...Well, fuck. Why didn't you say anything before?" I didn't reply, just watched as she calmed down. I was glad she wasn't denying anything I had seen, I was prepared for her to try such. "Fine. Fine. I want to leave a piece of myself behind, so that there is a chance people will remember me for who I was behind the mask. I doubt it, but I have to at least try." Dia stiffened as a flock of birds slowly grew within a tree outside. "Tell me how you're really doing your research on the Darklings."

"Then you shouldn't wear a mask to begin with. More people will see you as you are than they will read that book." I didn't let the previous topic go off without stating as much. I relaxed some and calmly thought where to start with that answer. A small smirk forming as I chuckled, shaking my head. "You don't want to know." At the look on her face I shrugged lazily. "First time was on accident. When I fell into their horde. By fell I mean was dragged." I mused. "But two plus two... And well, if you can't read about them you have to talk to whoever knows them. Mystery was a prime person to give me information, but there was also the Darklings themselves. Not all are in hordes. Some roam alone or in smaller parties. Which makes them easier to target and interrogate." I said without an ounce of remorse, despite looking back on those times mentally. "They are interesting creatures. And doing what I did saved Gallows' and Graves' lives." I stared at Dia flatly. "Which I'm sure you're pleased with, given the unique relationship you have with them."

"I wouldn't call it pleased; though I'm sure I'd mourn if they died. Far away from me. My moral compass doesn't exactly point straight, especially when it comes to people like him." Dia shook her head, almost as if to shake her thoughts back into place. "Besides, I've also already started showing people the lady beneath the mask, they just won't get to read it about it on Be Wary." She hesitated for a minute before asking her next question. "I can't imagine being dragged into a nest of Darklings was exactly good for your health. Are you trying to tell me your experience with them hasn't changed you any?"

I shrugged, "Truth find a way out either way." I leaned against the wall next to the window, unfazed by her question. "I have the Caged One speaking in my head, Executor occasionally, things implanted in my brain, flashes of things I can't remember, mental training to strengthen defenses, Thuggee's previous fuckery. Then there are the things Mystery has been keeping from me." I cracked my neck, relieving some stress. "When the Darklings had me in their nest I had some experience with head shit, you can say. But all of them... It's like a legion all talking in your head at once. And it doesn't stop, ever. All individual Darklings, all speaking at once, and trying to separate one voice from another could drive you mad." I paused, my eyes focusing on Dia. "But it didn't, the Caged One made sure of that. That isn't what changed me, though. It perked my interest on things, at best."

"Did you find anything specific about Mister Creevey? Anything you've been keeping from the class?"

"I'm not sure." I scowled. "I need to test some theories and things. I will not give out false information. If it's proven and factual it's open season."

The temperature had begun to slowly drop throughout our conversation I noticed, and it seemed Dia did too. She walked into the hallway and tried adjusting the heat, moving then to grab extra blankets. I left my post at the window, calmly following her as she brought a thick one into the spare room where Josie slept. Dropping the comforter over the girl she smoothed out its edges, an unnecessary act to distract herself. "What will you do if you find out it's true? And... Have you decided what you're going to do about Ferus?"

I looked at Josie's sleeping form, knocked out completely after the day. "I will take drastic measures. Mister Creevey can't be allowed to grow." I paused, chuckling. "But that's all based on lies, theories, among other things. So who's to say?" My gaze narrowed at Josie at the mention of Ferus, remembering the strange reactions she's been having at his name or through any association with him. "What can I do? Wait and see. If he comes around to fuck me up he can damn well try. I knew he was coming last time and I let him take me. Now I have insight, and insight just means I know how to handle the situation better. Speaking of which, we should go over that shit since you got yourself on his list. Good job with that, by the way."

Dia gestured towards Josie, a silent way of asking about the Ferus thing. I shrugged; she was already turning away as I did so. A quiet laugh leaving her lips as she walked out of the room and into the room I was using. Another heavy blanket fell onto the bed I barely used. Dia turned to me, "I don't have any reason to fear Ferus. I can't quite say I'm sorry for anything that's happened, though I am a bit guilty of the inability to keep my mouth shut or my temper in check."

"Agreed. Fear is a waste of time in any case." Something better to just get over and gain control of before it kills you. And with Ferus I agreed fully. Sitting on the bed I looked up at her, "You need to tell me if there is something serious going on between you and Gallows, Dia." I said evenly. With the information I have been collecting, if things panned out a certain way I'd have to be aware and prepare for certain... Reactions. 

"Gallows? We fucked. He wants to kill me, and he's gone. What is there to draw 'seriousness' from? I'd be masochistic and have some kind of death wish to pursue anything beyond this point. I managed to prevent my death, one of those times being ironically enough thanks to him. I don't want to die anymore."

"There are plenty to draw seriousness from behind closed doors." I sighed. "Especially now, he attempted to kill us and broke the truce made. I've got more than half the mind to not even bother with given them the Darkling information, should I even bother with it."

Dia motioned for me to follow her, we walked quietly into her room. She shut the door nervously, I noted. Moving to the wall she began removing the tacks to a rather large poster, removing it and rolling it up to put on top of the dresser. What I saw behind the poster was a vivid, scarlet red outline of a heart drawn over Dia's bed. The color faded a bit, but that kind of red was obvious. It was done in blood. I looked at Dia who gave a lopsided grin. "Yea, you're right. It's easy to read into things that aren't there." She flopped down onto the bed sadly, turning away from the outline as if to leave it in the past. "You don't break your promises, Shady, I know better. I'm sure they had a good reason for what they did, even if it left my city in a bloodbath." She paused, looking at me from the corners of her eyes. "You'd know more about what's happened with them than I would, wouldn't you? Tell the truth."

I took a seat beside Dia on the bed. "They are from a city that doesn't seem to exist to us. What that means I can't say. All I know is they weren't supposed to leave, but they did." I scowled, "And it's only a matter of time before Mister Creevey leaves it to drag them all back."

"...Shady, would you care to tell me about the frying pan thing? Or the deal with them? Or about those hushed conversations you have with Gallows and Graves when you think no one's looking?"

I ran a hand through my hair, a low sigh escaping my lips. "The prior I'd prefer not to, but there isn't much point in ignoring what's obviously there." I muttered. "The truce was as long as no one went stab happy I'd gather Darkling information and provide them with it, specifically go back to Keystone on a fun and possibly suicidal mission." I started with, "Hushed conversations revolved around that, Josie, Mister Creevey, and connections to their non-existent city. The frying pan is what happens when certain lines are crossed and my patience is thinned to the point of no repair. He was right about one thing, Dia. I'm about ready to snap, and given the hushed conversation with Graves post-frying pan incident, it only furthered that. Road Runner has been stalking the grounds." I sneered.

Dia nodded, looking at her hands as hair fell across her face, obscuring part of it. "I thought as much. Do you think you are a danger to Josie and I, or just everyone with a death wish? Road Runner... That would explain your newest fascination with that blue feather."

"If I was a danger to you both you'd know it by now." I flexed my hands, examining them calmly. "Matter of though, though, I fear. But really, it's directed towards Road Runner. Gallows was just a... Casualty of war, minus the casualty. I recognize this from my studies and previous writings, on top of which experiences with those hell-bent on revenge. This is no different. I won't be relieved until she is dealt with." I paused, contemplating on my own meaning. "And I worry because I don't know how far I must go for such relief to be felt."

"You know unless that intervention is found, you'll find her and fight her and pursue her until one of you is dead. The Caged One may scream for her blood, but I implore you, please... Please think. Everything you're feeling is amped up and mixed up. I don't think you're thinking clearly. And trust me, if I was worried, this little talk of ours would have come much sooner."

I glanced at Dia from the side, cracking a small smile. "I'll only do what's necessary. If I become unable to handle my own functioning I will have Brood cuff me and keep me in a room under surveillance. I already plan for maintenance to be done in care we house such people." I mused dryly before looking down. "But, eh... Guess only time will tell what comes to pass?"

She smiled back, but I could see that uncertainty. I knew Dia's head games, pushing buttons, getting people to think what she wanted them to, to get them to say what she wanted to hear. Methods I used on people she was using on me, despite our honest heart-to-heart conversation. I nearly rolled my eyes, nearly smirked, we were alike and it was pleasant. I suspected her uncertainty circled what bothered Mystery, how I could become calm despite the shit flying around. Perhaps even how I shrugged off or returned the brain-play. "Alright... So what are your questions? You've been honest as hell with me, and it's making me nervous. Like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop." That made me want to grin, because really she had more reasons to be nervous than I wanted to even say.

"What's with all these signs of the Fears being present, exactly? How much trouble are you really in?"

She froze; I watched her intently as she giggled nervously and closed her eyes. Taking in a deep breath before looking up at the ceilings as if it held all the answers she needed. "Depends on what you call 'trouble'. I'm not likely to die any time soon, despite my repeated attempts otherwise." She pulled back her shirt's sleeves to reveal her forearms, heavily bandaged to the elbow. "You know, it's funny. When I thought I didn't have a choice, I'd have done anything to avoid dying. When I found out otherwise, it's all I wanted to do for a while." She slipped the sleeves back down, effectively blocking out the sight of the bandages once more. "But as far as 'how deep in their shit have you gotten yourself, Dia?' I'm... in a whole fuckton of trouble. I don't see a way out, either."

I was frowning, my mind working through all the losses so far. The departure of the family crossed my mind, back at the mansion over the last few months people left (and died mostly) to find their own answers. Things just fell apart. And in all honestly, Dia was by far the closest one I dared to admit to having. Mystery, of course was always my partner. But she was solving her own personal battles and demons, and there was little I could do. "There is always a way out. It's a matter of manipulating your own odds, and theirs. Have to make your own luck, dear." I muttered. "I don't believe the strings of fate apply here. But... Your troubles matter. Your burdens are my burdens. I'd rather not see you die." I admitted to her beneath my breath, waiting several seconds before lifting my head and nudging her with my elbow. "So you call on me if you are worried or want the help. I'm not going to throw myself into your life's problems unless it's completely necessary. You're a big girl. So yea. There's that." I ended awkwardly, giving a slight cough.

I could see Dia blushing from the corner of my eye, laughing self-consciously. It eased me from the awkwardness, I might be able to play with words well but Smiles always said that I had the right intentions but I kind of sucked at the words. Her bluntness made me smile... Looking at Dia I could see plenty of shared qualities, and catching myself at thinking such I shunned the thoughts. "Even the blandest night can be terrifying when you feel all alone. Thankfully, I have people like you to help me remember who I am." She stared at me, a moment longer than what I was used to which alerted me to the words. I simply gave a curt nod, sitting with her long into the night as we discussed various things. And we finally got my injury properly wrapped.

I cooked that morning, letting the ladies sleep in. I, on the other hand, was unable to. I found an eye drawn on one of the new windows in the kitchen, in the condensation. It was strange; I took a picture before wiping it off. Looking out the window I flipped off whatever may be watching before grabbing a cup of coffee. Scanning the newspapers I read through the damage done, and the casualties. I shook my head at the amount of damage the duo caused.

"What are you shaking your head at?" Dia asked as she finally awoken, I slid the paper across the table to her. She scanned it and sighed, throwing the paper against the trashcan as she sat down. I smirked at her. "What?"

I opened the picture on my cell and slid it across the table at her too. "More morning bullshit." She glared at the picture sleepily. "Don't even think about chucking it, either." Dia slid it back my way, both of us taking a sip of our drinks. We decided to scope out the damage done in town, passed by the funeral of the officers and captain. I caught sign of the auburn haired woman from the day before arguing with her fellows, it sounded bad. As in hunting down the duo bad. Dia was concerned, I caught her look. "They can't leave their jurisdiction." I murmured to her quietly.

"People die. They did the jobs they signed up for." Josie said, surprising both of us. Her doe eyes stared at us, innocent face betraying nothing.

We didn't reply to that.

That day we just collected ourselves and over the course of the next few days (between Dia working) we resumed their teachings.

Josie attacked me, I'd step back and dodge around her punch. Swiping an arm out and hooked around the back of her head and caught her off balance, her own stumbling body and poor balance sending her down. Dia planted a few nice bruises on me. I think she knew I needed to relieve some tension by physical means, and did what she could to provoke me into doing so. I warned her it wasn't the best idea in the world. She took a mock Boxer stance and I lifted an eyebrow, humoring her I did so too. Except I know how to box and gave her an example of that. Hehe, oh her face. Huffy, and then moments later we were grinning like idiots, dirt smudged across our faces and a few shallow cuts to match. Josie didn't get it, she'd branch off to go cook or got distracted by a butterfly. Sigh.

We had a fun surprise visit from Dia's family as well. It was an... Uncomfortable situation. Josie seemed disinterested, despite the smile. The behavior behind the friendliness was detached. I remember what Dia's blog said, and what she briefly mentioned again. This wasn't her real family, a false, bribed family that came. They played their dirty tricks of attempting to guilt trip their 'daughter'. When turning onto Josie and I they flashed fake smiles, Josie played along and I merely analyzed them.  Dia was unhappy with them in her house, let alone on her property. I interjected in conversations, attempting to steer away attention from Dia. Despite the tedious situation we managed to be free of them after a short while. After attempts to make Dia feel guilty for not seeing them more often. As she was seeing them out the door I stood off behind it, making faces and inappropriate gestures. She shut the door and shook her head, grinning somewhat which was good enough for me.

I had also noticed her tendency to disappear out or sneak off. I never brought it before, I merely stared out the window and watched as she faded into the blackness or drove off. While Gallows and Graves were present I didn't do anything about it, with just us three then I began to pay more attention now without Graves stalking eyes. I was suspicious; I think anyone would be in this situation. Especially when you just had a truthful conversation stuffed with information. I sat and considered my options, I never followed her at the chances I could have. My mind demanded I do so, but it only knew the negatives of humanity and I had to force the positives.

I had to trust I was not placing my trust into someone full of shit.

Luckily, I was right. Having caught one of the bags she kept bringing with her. I peeked inside and saw the supplies, classic Runner supplies for on the road. My lips quirked into a humorous smirk before I fell back into the shadows of the room, watching as she snatched the bag and left to meet whoever.

And then the inevitable came. We went out to train and one of the trees had twenty-seven mockingbirds just hanging. Josie was disgusted, Dia was disturbed, and I was pissed. A single blue feather was pinned to the tree, eye-level to me. I pulled out my knife and began cutting down the birds, demanding Josie fetch a shovel before unfriendly animals were attracted here. She gladly left.

"What is with the blue feather?" Dia inquired as I swiped the knife across a few strings, ignoring the corpses as they fell.

"Blue feather, she has the same kind on her mask. And her mask is from Limeport Asylum, Prosper made it for her the night he nearly killed her." I chuckled bitterly, "Would have been so much easier."

She was surprised, "Is that information from the files you have?"

"Yea." I muttered. "It all connects, and Road Runner is all about connections to that place."

Josie had come back with a shovel; I dug a small ditch and put the dead birds in it. Afterwards I climbed the tree and cut off the rest of the string, throwing it away. Dia and Josie were sparring out of the corner of my eye, I sat on the porch to watch occasionally. The feather in my hand, enough of a distraction.

My cellphone alerted me to an email. I opened it and found nothing but a wall of text and knew who would recognize it. "Josie." I alerted her, she brushed aside a bead of sweat and scurried over. Leaning down and reading the email I watched as her face began to slowly pale. It was her email and Mister Creevey sending a threatening message about hunting her down, trying to persuade her how she was his host. His property. Josie began hyperventilating; her body shaking violently at what I could only assume were the memories of her time as his host before.

We caught her before she hit the ground, blacking out of fear alone. Dia and I shared a similar look that clearly said: This isn't good.

Josie had a meltdown when she woke up, screaming about how she can't let him find her. She insisted on leaving right then and there, that he knew where she was. We had to chase Josie down into town and drag her to the parking lot to try and calm her. Dia was trying to get in her head, persuade her. I, on the other hand, pinned her in a hold so that she couldn't get anywhere. We managed to get her calm enough that she got into the backseat of the car and laid down.

"We need to do something about this." Dia said the moment the door closed. I glanced at her briefly before rereading the message. He was going to leave the city it sounded like. Which only alerted me further. "He's going to kill her with stress alone."

I nodded, "I'm aware." I put the cellphone away. "Her mental defenses are absolute shit. And she'll need them if he's so intent on possessing her until he can meet up with the duo."

"Josie needs to be able to fight him."

I shook my head with an small laugh. "A little more than that. Prime example is what happened the last time all three of them tried to fight him. Physical harm didn't stop him or tire him, least not the extent they used. When you've got an intruder in your body you have to be able to wage war on them. It's similar to how your immune system assaults a virus. When something is possessing you or is in your head..." I sighed. "Going to need a method she can learn. She has no confidence in her abilities to do harm on another, let alone him. Wasting all her time on fear."

"Shady, she's scared." Dia's compassion leaked into our conversation.

I rolled my eyes. "She's being pathetic. Wants to do better, doesn't apply the effort. It's like school all over again." I paused. "That's the proper term, right? Because kids do that shit. Last I check, anyways."

Dia chuckled, her head shaking as she walked around to the other side of the car and got in. I got behind the wheel and drove us back, Josie's hysterics silenced by due to sleep.

But how would we help Josie? That was the big question, usual methods would not work with the fuckjob Mister Creevey did to her head.

Well, we spent a few days trying to boost her confidence, teaching self-defense, having informative conversations with one another, and relaxing. On top of which finished the rest of the repairs and cleaning. Especially the scorch marks Ferus left on the side of the house. Sigh. I double checked all the windows, all was good there. Dia's house was all put together by the end of our time spent there. And unfortunately, home was calling and I wanted to return to DeMii and little Lullaby before Christmas. Dia helped me picked out a little present for each of them, considering it was not something I really ever had to do. Made sure Dia was back home and secure. We left in the evening, which brought about a fun drive back home.

And my oh my, how that is so heavily filled with sarcasm. Josie and I had a bit of a quarrel.

"You're speeding." I didn't even glance at the meter. Nor did I dictate a response. "Do you want to kill us?" I glanced at her. "Do you want to die?"

My eyes met the meter. "I don't care much for living. So..." I pressed down on the gas, looking at her with a smile as the car accelerated. The look of fear that crossed her face was unmistakable, one of the few real emotions I've seen her present to us.

"Well I actually like living, Shady!" I let up on the gas and began swerving the car from left to right in small jerks. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

A dry laugh left my lips. "Seeing what you value."

"I value my life!" I accelerated the car again and made a buzzer noise, as if she answered incorrectly. She was clinging to the door of my Jeep, staring wide-eyed at the bend coming up.

I turned up the radio, tapping the steering wheel at the music blasting into our ears. She was staring back and forth between me and the road. "Ya know..." I called over the movie, "If you valued your life you'd apply more effort into protecting yourself."

"I have-"

I lifted a finger. "You aren't even clinging to us like you do when danger is around. And you only do that cause' it keeps you alive. There isn't any real value between us, is there?" I grinned as her face paled. "I'm not mad or anything, it's a clever little technique. But ultimately, it will get you more fucked over than it will us." I motioned for her to look forward; she did as the bend was right there. She screamed as the tires squealed across the pavement, the car shuddering as it skidded around the turn. A swerve getting us back on track. "Especially when the others find out."

She lowered the volume of the radio, her breathing slow and deep. "Are you insane?" I gave a one shoulder shrug, wasn't worth answering. "Did I do something to piss you off?"

"I'm going to be blunt, Josie. I don't like being used. Ah, ah, ah... You shut up." I shot her a glare when her lips parted. They promptly pressed back together. "People are always using each other. What I mean to say is, I don't like it when people are sneaky about it. If you're going to use me you will damn well say so face to face. You don't have to pretend to give a damn when you don't. Quite frankly, I find it insulting. So enough of that." She remained silent, I put on a smile. Good girl. "If you want to protect yourself I've got no qualms teaching you. Need information? I got no problem giving you answers. Just be straight with me and I'll be straight with you. Cause right now, I'm suspicious of you and that won't do while you're taking residence with me."

"Right..."

"Right!" I beamed, slamming the car to a halt. Her belt caught her in time before she hit the dashboard. Lucky. "So, we're going to solve all this tension right now before we go any further."

"What?"

I unbuckled myself and got out of the car, shutting the door behind me. I waited until she got the memo and exited the car too. "If you're coming to stay at the mansion you will abide by some guidelines." I said, motioning for her to come around the car to my side. "We've had some people die. Good friends of ours. We've had people leave for their own personal matters as well. We've had enemies enter the fort. We have a history. And right now there is a teenage mother and a baby growing at an unusual rate. I really think the last thing my adopted family needs is stress." I told her flatly, unzipping the jacket and carelessly tossed it on top of the car. "You see, I care about these people. Do you know what that's like?"

"I..." Josie didn't respond after that. Her brows simply furrowed, if she had to think on it then it wasn't anything she's honestly valued.

"It's this nagging feeling that makes you... Heh, well, FEEL. It drives me crazy, really, but I enjoy it. Feelings and me have a love/hate relationship, you can say. But I'm going to tell you now, harm brought unto them in any form will incur my wrath."  I watched as she uneasily looked at me, yet her body remained motionless and alert. It interested me. "So it's fine you aren't sentimental, or that it's hard to go on or even express such feelings. But if danger comes forth I expect you to act accordingly, not for yourself, but for the whole. Especially for the mother and child."

Josie nodded, "Of course I will."

"Ok. Because I saw what you did when Gallows and Graves broke our truce." I said sternly, my hands clasping behind my back as I flashed her a bitter smile. "You didn't attempt to help Dia nor I because we were in close proximity to the dangerous duo attacking. You stood on the sidelines without making any effort to assist, and was more than ready to flee." I leaned towards her, seeing her becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the confrontation. "If I ever... EVER catch you do such while Lullaby and DeMii are present I will personally see to it you have nothing to ever fear again, because you'll be dead."

"Shady..."

"You can stand there with your doe eyes and innocence, with all your fears. But if you flip on that coward switch in their presence I will hunt you down. And who knows, maybe I'll tell Mister Creevey where your corpse is. He might be able to still use it still if you aren't too rotten." A hard slap met my cheek.

"That's going too far."

"Did I get my point across?" I drawled, neck cracking as I looked back at her.

"I don't want to die for anyone else and I'm not going to." She said, once more that seriousness surfacing. "I just want some help."

I straightened, nodding at her words with some understanding. And then I punched her, giving her what would turn into being the first black eye during her stay with us. "Then let me help you." I said, watching as she stumbled back and held her eye. I approached calmly, following as she moved further and further into the road.

"This isn't going to make me bend to your wishes, Shady."

I shrugged. "Not trying to make you conform to anything, Josie. I respect you want to look after you. So I'm going to help you do that more effectively."

She snorted, backing up. "By beating me up?"

"Well, that's what will happen if you don't fight back."

I threw another punched, we had a fun little brawl in the middle of a nearly vacant highway, surrounded by darkness and woods. She did better this time, more effort. More aggression. By the end of it she was stumbling away, panting heavily. Bloody and bruised we were, but I continued egging her on to punch me. She was frustrated, on the verge of tears screaming she couldn't anymore. I grabbed the front of her shirt and slammed her against the Jeep, pinning her between myself and it. Told her the enemy wouldn't stop, they would hold her like I held her by the throat, which they would rip and tear her apart until there was nothing left. She needed to stop sniffling before the crying even started. We stared at one another; I wouldn't let her move until she willed the tears back and regained control over herself.

Exhausted, I told her to get into the car. We drove the rest of the way home and made it there in time for Christmas Eve. I passed by Brood and immediately embraced DeMii, nearly two months away. The munchkin walked over and I snatched her off the ground, grinning. After introducing Josie and giving them an early Christmas present we were able to sit down and relax. It was only a few minutes until Brood insisted we needed to speak. That was fun. Mr. Sunshine mauled me the moment I stepped away from Brood, as we sat around together he fell asleep partially in my lap, the rest of him curled at my side. It's strange, being away made me feel so detached. It was pleasant to have some familiarity again.

I took the next day off to relax with everyone and help out with Lullaby, catch up on the events. After that Brood and I laid out plans to make upgrades to the mansion as well as up some defenses. Mr. Sunshine took straight to helping. The cellar he used to be in which now became my area since he started sleeping in the tree we covered up more, added a hatch door and some stairs inside. For the MASC soldiers we worked around the stonework of the building, making slots to shoot from the inside. Oh testing that out was so much fun!

Little things like that was done around the mansion.

I woke up to the Caged One hovering over me a few nights later. "Fear is the strongest emotion."

Immediately I rolled over, having no motivation to get into a debate with her. "Strongest emotion and the one that wastes the most time. It can make or break a person." I muttered, pulling the blanket over my head. She didn't leave.

"Most fear the unknown. You gravitate towards it and fear what is known."

"Keeps me prepared."

"We should have been more concerned of the unknown. We underestimated it. It caught us and blinded us from what was known."

"And here we are. Mistake after mistake. It's a learning process, Caged One."

"You missed a call."

"What?" I pulled the sheet down and looked at her, but she wasn't there. Fed up I grabbed my phone, checking it and found I indeed had a voice.
And it was from the Advocate.
Ha. Ha. Hahahahahaha... Ah. Fuck. Perfect timing that was.
More on that in the next post.

Stay safe,

-Shady

Dia's: Part Two.

I didn’t sleep. I watched Josie come out sleepily, she tripped over the pajama pants and hit the door frame. I snickered a little too much at that. Her dark blue hair was every which way when she came into the kitchen and put on a pot of coffee. I glanced at the time on my phone and was surprised by how the hours passed. Looking around the house I could see Graves hadn’t moved from her position until the sun fully rose and breakfast was laid out. Gallows once more walked out in similar attire than last time to grill his long pig outside. But it was November and not the warmest of months, as he found out. We watched him open the door and close it, walking back into the guest room. He came out with a large blanket wrapped around him and went outside, in bare feet, to grill.


“We don’t have one of those.” Graves commented when I looked at her. “I believe he will want one now, if and when we ever return home.”

I took a sip of the coffee Josie generously supplied me with, along with a tired smile. “Are you worried you won’t be able to?”

“I am unwilling to risk it so long as Mister Creevey lives.”

“I’ll go back to Keystone, but I don’t know what good it will do.” I said as she looked away from the window and back at me. “Darklings are, from what Mystery said, alike to hunger spirits. And while they may differ in intelligence levels they aren’t mindless creatures. Mister Creevey is proof of that and we can all see how clever he is as a lone agent. They might be unwilling to share information even if I manage to get them into conversation. That's betting on if they even know anything."

Graves nodded, “The try is worth it, even if no information turns up or you are killed.”

“…Thanks.” I rolled my eyes. “Look, I don’t know what’s up with your freaky city but if you need assistance you have it. A place to stay, while you guys can’t literally pass the wards I can find a location so you aren’t hounded by proxies perhaps? And if you want to assault the city and Mister Creevey… Well, I’m not thrilled with offering but I’m willing.”

“That is a lot to offer without a deal or a price to be named. You could very well die completing such tasks should we ever call on your assistance.”

I shrugged, taking a sip from the mug. “Born to die, just a matter of when. Why should I give a fuck, as long as I’m doing something I see worth dying for I’ll be good.” I grinned teasingly, “Besides, I will come back as a ghost and haunt the shit out of everyone if I died. I won’t stop, ever.”

Gallows opened the door, cocooned in the comforter as he placed the plate down on the table and sat awkwardly. He tried rearranging himself and found no easy way to eat and remain covered; find it a failure he once more awkwardly got back up and waddled into the guest room. Returning with his open jacket, face blanketed in darkness to eat. I chuckled, getting up and grabbing a plate to get breakfast. Dia came out last, giving Josie a bear hug and smiling at the breakfast laid out once more. I watched her behavior as I sat down, as I would the rest of the time there.

“Bacon?” Josie offered Gallows who looked at the plate before back up at her.

He held up his plate, “Bacon?” He jeered, making her shriek. Cackling he placed the plate down and picked up a strip of meat, flicking it into his mouth.

And once more breakfast was us around a table, being as… Hospitable as possible. Which was severely lacking when Gallows kept poking and attempting to cut Josie. Ughs…

I took Josie out once again for training. She was pathetic all over the place, I ended the session when she tripped over air and fell on her face. Gallows in the background laughing hysterically didn’t help. I sat on the porch and cleaned off her face, careful to tend to the piercings and make sure all the dirt was off them. And once more Gallows didn’t help as he walked by, kicking up dirt in her direction. Day cut short of training Josie I turned to Dia who was watching and motioned for her to come down.

Now Dia, she’s a person who really tries to learn. She’s smart and observant as hell. Position her and she’ll learn it pretty fast, takes a couple of tries now and then but she catches on damn quickly. She can mimic moves pretty well too, maintaining a level of self-control as well she balances out. We kept trying to rile one another up which only resulted in us chuckling and smirking at one another. It was amusing. We spent literally all day just rough housing outside, when Josie came for us we were lazily flopped across the lawn. Gallows spent most of his time on the roof, laying under the sun like a cat. A very pale cat. And Graves stared at everyone without uttering a word.

The evening and night was relatively quiet. I slept a couple of hours, Dia had no nightmares, it was somewhat pleasant. Until morning rounded, I sat down when breakfast was already done and everyone else was eating. For only a few minutes until my cellphone began ringing. It was Joshua.

“Hello?”

“Hey.” There was a pause. “I thought about it. We do need to talk.”

“Obviously.” I scowled, shutting the back door behind me and walking towards the woods. “We need to talk about a lot of things. Things you know about me that I don’t remember. You want answers on our friends, right?”

“I want answers on everything, @#$%$%&.”

My lips tugged down further. “Don’t use my real name.”

“Are you that attached to Shady now?” He jeered, it stung.

“Partially, but I don’t know for sure that is my real name. On top of which I can’t risk my identity being known. It’s bad enough a handful know already, I’d rather no one else finds out.”

He snorted, “So what? You’re like a super hero now with a secret identity? Calls being tapped, lone hero that’s gotta save the world? You’re paranoid.”

“This paranoia has kept you alive, don’t fucking forget that.” I scolded, pacing back and forth across the lawn. “And don’t mock me. You know how I feel about heroes. I don’t want to hear that bullshit again.” We both sighed, tension high even on the phone. “And it’s not unheard of. Calls monitored, accounts hacked, emails sent, technology is no barrier. So I’d really rather you used the alias given.” 

"Alright, Shady." He spat the alias. "When are we meeting?"


"I'm not home right now. Not-"

"That's not your home!"


"-sure when I will be either." I glanced at the house, ignoring his interjection despite it hitting a nerve. "So I can't say and plan something right now. But I can tell you when I am home."


"Fine."


"Lovely. Then I'll talk to you soon." I said, he hung up just as I finished the sentence. I slid the phone back into my pocket, glaring into the woods at nothing in particular. Josie backed off from the door as I reentered the house, I shot her a look before sitting back down at the table. Gallows proceeded to get on my case, his head tilting towards the window where they had a nice view of where I was. I ignored him, filling my cup of coffee that had grown cold. The day was spent relatively all the same as the previous. I took on teaching both ladies while Gallows and Graves did their own thing. Which consisted of Gallows making jabs our way or chasing wild life with his scythe when he spotted it.


I spoke with Brood that night on the conditions of the mansion, being updated and updating him on certain things. A brief business call and that was that.



"I'm afraid of my own weaknesses and morality."


Dia admitted as we sat within the grass the next day, taking a break from our session. I looked over to her, told her fear over her own weaknesses only empowers them. Being aware of them is good, but she needed to learn to take advantage of them and tolerate her own weaknesses. We spent time conversing on how she was already doing such. Physically she was learning to protect herself, adapting she was capable of and had incredible potential to do. And with the self-defense she was really showing that ability to do so. When it came to the inner workings of ones brain there are blockades. She was no different. There are things holding her back from seeing what she needs to see, understand, adapt to her fullest. So hopefully some physical training will help her gain some confidence in protecting herself at least and motivate her to do the rest.

A fear of death is understandable to me. I don't share the same worry anymore but I understand it all the same.

Josie does what she can to keep up and understand. I spent the day teaching them both on separate levels and balancing their abilities and behaviors. Heh, it was entertaining to see the different levels and personas come together in a single session. Dia assisted Josie when she noticed something was off, Josie helped Dia in return. I decided, starting that day, they would spar together. Dia came out victor in controlled situations, but riling up Josie was a mistake and she became the victor when there was no leash upon her rage. At least, in most situations. Dia began to adapt to her changed behavior, how her berserk side could mean she was just as sloppy as she was forceful.


Dia would try and provoke Josie into being more capable than she was showing. Enticing her rage seemed to be the only way to do so. Dia wormed into her brain, pulled the strings, and Josie danced to the tune. She came at Dia with such force that Dia had to use all her strength to get Josie away from her. But the twig just came right back at her, I had to step in and tear Josie off of Dia by the end it. She attacked me, which I didn't care much for. By the end of it I had her pinned until she calmed.


"Guys, I know you're trying to help me but you can't do that anymore." Josie had said to us. Dia and I looked at one another before back at her. "I can't do that anymore."


"You just need control over it."


"You don't understand, Shady." She heaved a breath beneath me, her eyes as serious as I've ever seen them. "There is no controlling it. You've said yourself, some things just are and this just is."


That was the first time Josie has ever been straight with me. Her face, smudged with mud that allowed the steel colored eyes to shine against the evening setting around us. I got off her and helped her to a stand, telling her to go clean up. She did so without any argument. Dia called my name and I looked at her sternly, there was more to Josie than she let on. I don't mean background-wise, personality, behavior, and the way her mind works. This was known before and now proven. I kicked a rock at Dia's head, watching her quickly dodge it before I jumped in to attack. Some things are best left to dwell upon later.


The night was filled with Dia in a cold sweat, once more I was awoken by the duo to handle Dia's nightmares. She was crying, clenching the sheets, her breathing labored. She muttered incoherent words under his breath, I called her name quietly. Dia muttered more, shaking violently before she started thrashing. I grabbed her arms, Gallows on her legs along with Graves, trying to prevent her from hurting herself or anyone else. She cried out, screaming nearly for a man I did not know. Collin was his name, and I'd come to learn later just who he was to her.


After a short bit I managed to wake her up, she sat up instantly and clung, a nervous wreck. I nodded for the duo to get out and comforted her as she spoke in short sentences, telling me enough of what I needed to know. I sat cradling her for some time, a faint tune softly coming to play. A lullaby of sorts. I thought maybe it was just in my head but when I glanced down at Dia I could see her eyes wide. To say the least she didn't go back to sleep, instead she typed on her laptop. Which I guess contributes to those posts about her nightmares. I brought in the blanket from the guest bed I was using, the house itself grew cold, which seemed to be an infrequent thing.


The days were spent in a repetitive motion. A week and a half total was spent with that pattern, training, nightmares on and off. A smashed radio in Dia's room, a cackling Gallows. Dia going to work after a few days of being off due to her injuries. Ha, man Dia, I don't know how the fuck you manage to keep a job while dealing with this shit. Let alone when your job is just as fucked up as both your home lives. But hey, sharpens your silver tongue, eh? And all those years at that college helped in dealing with the fucked up folks. Course, experience really teaches you it all the more. It's amazing how you haven't been fired yet, dear.


Gallows decide it would be wonderful to jump into the training. Sent Josie off to the house, limping in fear. Dia and I tag teamed him which did was entertaining until Graves teleported in and grabbed us by the back of our shirts, slamming us into the ground without any effort at all. She looked down upon us with dead eyes before walking back to the porch and sitting down. Gallows cackled t


The next day was spent with us exhausted. We didn't train, Josie cooked (the only perky one). Gallows flipped through the channels over and over again, Graves near the window, Dia and I were on the couch watching him going over and over through the channels. She eventually snatched the remote from him and put on some movies, which we basically watched all day. Hardly eventful. But I did notice Dia and Gallows bickering a lot of the time, with plenty of innuendo layering it. I rolled my eyes at the sexual tension, it was hard to miss. Made Josie squirm awkwardly, and Graves glanced at the two suspiciously before returning to caring less about it.


I'd come to learn the next afternoon this:


"I fucked up big time."


"What?"


"I fucked Gallows."


As Dia would so bluntly put. I stared at her for a long time before my first response would be a sigh. I'd come to learn she enjoyed it and, well, didn't exactly regret it. Just was freaked out about what just occurred and who with. Gallows remarkably said nothing on the matter, at my glare he chuckled. Dia was flushed at first and fled the room to shower. As the day progressed she and Gallows began their bickering once more.

I'd come to learn Gallows informed Ferus during some emails on his and Dia's coupling. Which would result in hell on our end. The next day that is (the same day Dia informed me) when Josie and Dia went out grocery shopping.


Graves and I were sitting at the kitchen table, messing around with cleaning the guns and blades. Gallows was positioned on the couch, laying upside-down as he played with his sickle. That was when the first window shattered, and then a second. Graves and I gazed at one another before we both stood, following to where the noise was. Gallows lifted his head to watch us but did nothing as we investigated the noise.


The windows in Dia's room are smashed, Graves bends down and examines it before lifting her head. Another crash, larger than the last comes from where we were before. There's heavy thuds and a slam. I looked to Graves but find her already gone. Knife in hand I run out of the room and down the hall, I enter the room and am immediately slammed into the wall before I can utter a word. Graves holds a hand against my mouth, keeping me silenced as she watches the intruder, not even paying me mind.


And the intruder? Ferus.


"You FUCKED her, Gallows! You're not supposed to FUCK her! You're supposed to KILL her! What the FUCK is wrong with you?" He yelled at Gallows as he shook him.


The madman threw back his head, despite it hitting the wall, and cackled. His legs swinging in a child-like manner as he dangled a few feet off the ground. "I fucked her, don't mean I ain't gonna kill her." He cackled, tossing the sickle at Graves, purposely trying to initiate trouble no doubt.


Ferus' head followed the sickle and its path as it narrowly flew past Graves and landed beside my head. He was really not happy in the least when we noticed us over there. "YOU PIECE OF SHIT! YOU'RE IN A HOUSE FULL OF THEM! AND THEY'RE STILL ALIVE! AND YOU'RE FUCKING COPULATING WITH ONE OF THEM! THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORK! YOU KILL THEM! NO OTHER PRETENSES!" Ferus screamed, slamming Gallows repeatedly into the wall. I would have found it amusing if it wasn't Ferus in all his fury... And me being the only non-proxy there.

Gallows was no doubt grinning by what he just caused. He doesn't even try to fight back against Ferus, he just cackled as he hits the wall over and over again. It's a loud sort of cackle, as if this moment was the best thing in the world. "I CARVE them, I stab and I cut, I make them bleed and rape their minds. Or bodies." He paused with a snicker. "Though... There was that willing one, what was her name? Dia?" He laughed hysterically all over again, not even trying to get off of square one.

And Ferus is back to screaming mindlessly in rage, shaking Gallows like a ragdoll. When he eventually calmed down he pulled out a machete, planting it into the wall behind Gallows. "Here. When she comes back, I want to see you chop her fucking head off."

The skeleton whined loudly, "But that's so easy. I was thinking next time she's on her back," He broke out into hysterical giggles. "I could cut her open, dissect her, see what fun things are inside~" He practically squealed at the thought, his shoes kicking back and forth like a hyper-active child. "But not yet. I wanna play more. I found good toys out in your world, I wanna break em."

Ferus wasted no time in punching Gallows in the face, blood seeping from the bottom of his mask. "Don't cross me, Gallows. I'll end you. Kill her."

The madman tilted his head, cracking his neck before he straightened back up. "I'm sorry, you're under the impression I give a fuck, boyo." He chuckled, onyx eyes gleaming under the light. "I'm gonna kill her. Like you would, given the chance. But you've got your ways of killing, I got mine." Gallows leaned back against the wall, as casually as someone could be in that position and spoke just the same. "Wanna let me down now, Ferus?"

Ferus tilted his head in turn, lifting Gallows higher off the floor. "You don't understand me, Gallows. No more fucking around. When she gets back, it's her or you."

He giggled, as if that was the funniest thing he's ever heard. "Ho ho ho~ why so intent, Ferus?" He asked, his head tilting to look at how high he was off the floor before turning back onto the masked giant.

 Said giant tossed Gallows across the room. He walked towards where he landed after hitting the opposite wall, "BECAUSE YOU AREN'T DOING YOUR JOB, GALLOWS! I HAVE ROOMS FILLED WITH PROXIES THAT DIDN'T DO THEIR JOBS!"

The skeleton sat himself up, pulling up his knees and propping his arms over them. "What's my job, Ferus?" He asked, tone dropping a few octaves to sound relatively normal.

It was noticed by Graves, I few her flex by the change in tone. I remember on their blog one of her first posts stated that if Gallows wore anything but a smile someone was going to die horribly and swiftly. But I didn't ever remember anything about this. She obviously knew something, I gave a small squirm but she pushed me harder into the wall.

Ferus obviously failed to notice. He looked down at him, his voice showed evident contempt when he spoke. "You kill people, Gallows. Like everyone else worth a damn, you find a Runner, and you slit their fucking throat."

Gallows looked towards us, specifically at Graves, watching her reaction at Ferus' answer. Whatever it was I could not see, but it seemed to tell him enough. His shoulders shook as he snickered, pulling himself to a stand. "Boyo, dontcha think if my purpose was the same as yours I wouldn't have been locked up in a city that don't exist?" He asked, though not really. Madness laced through every vein in his gaze as he laughed it off without a care. "She's gonna die. Can't fail a job ya haven't even started, boyo."

The two of them match stares for several seconds, the tension is building before Ferus states, "Fine." and pulled out the cricket bat from the leg of his cargo pants, he spun around and pointed directly at me. "But her, she's on my list. I'm going to cave her skull in." He declared, striding towards us as the bat swung at his side.

Gallows shrugged, "Ok."


I backhanded Graves' hand aside, "You fucking asshole, I'll slit your throat!" I yelled at Gallows, we locked eyes and his gaze was indifferent. He looked to Graves and I felt myself slam back against the wall, her gloved hand secured around my throat.


The tall woman tilted her head up towards Ferus, who was in turn still quite a bit taller than her. "You're making a mistake." Graves' hollow voice spoke from behind the bandana.

Ferus swung the bat onto his shoulder, stopping in his advance, the mismatched eyes met Graves. "I'm sorry, I don't think I heard you correctly. Hell, if I was out of my damn mind, I'd say you were just telling me not to kill her. Which hardly seems professional."

The hand around my throat tightened, pushing me harder against the wall. "I am." She stated as a matter of fact. Her free hand reached back and grabbed the double barrel shotgun off her back. It rested at her side, as a warning. I was completely and utterly in awe at this display of loyalty to our truce. "She's our bait. Mister Creevey's species was identified because of this female. She can gather further information. My job is to protect Gallows. This falls under that contract." Graves vaguely explained, ignoring me as I held a knife to Graves wrist in my own warning.

Ferus chuckled. "Don't care. My job is to kill for Him. Your job is to protect that worthless piece of shit who's more concerned about fucking the enemy than killing them. My job takes priority. You'd best stand aside." He took a stride forward.

Graves tilted her head to the side, and then we were gone. I found myself thrown onto to the ground like trash, behind Graves on the other side of the room. There was a wall behind me and only Graves in front, her shotgun aimed on Ferus. "You underestimate the job of a guardian." She stated flatly, "One of us at least remembers. You best leave, Ferus." Her gaze flickered to Gallows briefly in acknowledgement as he walked over to us, placing a foot on my side and kicking me back against the wall. Just further out of the way of a brawl that was preparing to break out.

Our intruder turned slowly around, the bat still slung over his shoulder. "Well shoot me, then. Hell, why haven't you already? Gallows is bound to have some bruises, and who knows, maybe I'll come back. Maybe when he's with Dia. Two birds with one stone."

"Bruises are minor and well deserved." Graves stated. I looked up at Gallows as he stared towards Graves, completely unfazed and arms loosely crossed. The serious demeanor was completely unlike him, it was the first time I had seen him so focused and calculating over a situation. Graves turned slightly, shoving the gun into his arms and made sure it was trained on Ferus as she pulled away. "Indirect threatening of Gallows life does not warrant immediate death." She teleported, her person appearing before Ferus, no doubt aware he could strike her. "Offer: We leave to settle matters, or I drag you."

Ferus cocked his head to one side, looking upon her as he contemplated an answer. "Let's go, then."

That was all she needed to hear. Graves didn't spare us a single glance as she placed her hand upon his forearm and teleported them both to who knows where.

I pulled myself off the floor and stood, glancing at Gallows who stood motionlessly. I wondered briefly if he was even concerned for her safety, at the possibility Graves might never come back. That Ferus could use that opportunity to eliminate his guardian. But again, he just looked indifferent, not even acknowledging me for the first few seconds. Then his gaze slid my way, our eyes met before I turned away and began cleaning for the next half hour.


I swept up the glass and taped plastic over all the busted windows for now. It wasn't that difficult of a fix, I'd have to go out and get supplies after the girls came back. Like hell I'd trust Gallows to explain it. Picked the glass up from outside, picked it out of the bushes and grass. Hell, even out of the lamp pot that oddly enough had a gas mask sitting in it. I picked it up briefly and gave it a look over before putting it back, my eyes scanning the area as suspicion took over. Something to bring up on a later date. Everything was taken care of, I wrote out a list of needed supplies in order to fix the windows.


And then Dia came home. Oh man, she put down the groceries and grabbed Gallows by the collar, screaming at the mess he made. Demanding to know what he did and why. I didn't say a thing as he slapped him a few times, and he didn't react a first. The serious demeanor melted away and he chuckled, complimenting her and saying how he didn't do a thing. Graves teleported back in, grabbed Dia's hand as she looked down upon her.


A simple, "It was not him." ceased Dia's movement.


"Then who? Who fucked up my house?"


I was leaning against the counter in the kitchen, next to a window I was surveying and the list. "Ferus."


Bricks were shat and we explained the situation. Dia promptly punched Gallows for telling Ferus and anyone else, her face flushed red before she regained control and left the room. I grabbed the bags of groceries off the floor, glancing at Josie who was paler than usual.


"Ferus was here?" Was the only thing she uttered out, I stared at her suspiciously but she shook her head and began bringing in the rest of the groceries as I put them away.


After an exhausting day the night was spent with Dia's nightmares. I kept her company while she suffered through them and while she was awake afterwards. We spoke on the incident earlier. I comforted her that what she did with Gallows was not as severe as it was made out to be. Especially after what she said to me. How she liked Gallows because she saw him as someone honest. He was honest with himself about who he is, what he does. He murders, he fucks, he doesn't hide what he wants or desires. He says what's on his mind. He wasn't in the business of tricking people about who he is, he didn't care to waste time with that. Despite what he does to people, he's one of the most honest people she knows.


And I respected her for that. Because it's those perspectives that allow humans to evolve beyond slitting each others throats.

When she finally fell asleep I found time to look over something from the corners of my eyes. From under her mattress poked the corner of what looked to be a notebook. I pulled it out and glanced at Dia, who was borderline unconscious by now. I stood up and walked to a window, allowing the moonlight to provide me with light. I examined the notebook slowly, taking in everything I could and memorizing everything. It was... Disturbing. I'm not going into details as of now.






The next morning Dia and I were in the kitchen after breakfast, Josie was cleaning up the dishes while the duo was in the other room. I informed Dia that the splintered wood needed to be stripped, she needed whole new windows which would be easier to get anyways. Simple to pop in. I handed her the list and she took Josie back out with her, throwing the three of us a cautious look after the day before.


Graves and I sat at the table for a short time before she lifted her head and stared out the window. Wordlessly she fired Gallows a glance before disappearing.


I was at the counter, washing the dishes Josie didn't have time to clean herself. Gallows snaked his way behind me, no weapon in hand. At first it was from a distance he spoke in short taunts.


"Gonna slit my throat, eh?" He began with, leaning against the table behind me. "Were ya that upset? Girlie, I keep allies as long as I keep whores. Which ain't long."


I put aside a knife to dry on the counter, my hands dipping back under the water. "We made a deal-"


"Uh, uh, uh, you and Graves made a deal-"


"That consists of you being apart of it because it cut you off from attempting to murder us." I glanced over my shoulder, "And from any of from attempting to murder you."


His eyes narrowed, I could feel the grin beneath the mask. "Ho ho ho~ lookie you, girlie. You're becoming a vicious little minx ain't ya?"


"As vicious as I need to be." I dully replied with a roll of my eyes.


"It ain't got nothin' to do with that birdie ya found?"


I froze--


Rewind!

I was outside, stripping the splintered wood from the window frame. I was out there for about an hour, threw away the useless shit and brought the tools back into the house. I went to go back outside to get a kit from my car when I found it there, a dead mockingbird right there. I looked around before I crouched down to examine the dead animal. The eyes were both scarred, a blade had carefully made X's over both eyes and slit the eyeballs and skin around the eyes open. No doubt while the poor thing was awake. A thing string was coiled around the bird's neck, securely knotted like a noose. A blue feather bound to the bird and secured by the string. I buried the bird near the edge of the woods with a scowl and forgot about it for a bit.

--and turned to Gallows with a scowl. "You know something about that?" 

"Graves wouldn't go rushing off if danger wasn't around." He said cryptically. I shot him a withering look. "Graves is well informed in proxy matters with people we are connected with, just sayin'."


"Do. You. Know. Something."


Gallows planted himself off to the side of me, in close proximity. "I know you're on the verge of cracking. That you're gonna snap if you don't do somethin' about it, girlie. You're gonna end up just like the bitch with the beak you oh so hate."


My fingers curled around the handle of something weighted and metal. "Wrong answer." I said, turning swiftly and pulling a frying pan from the sink. The water splattered everywhere as I hit Gallows in the side of the head with it. He stumbled backwards, wincing and hissing. I advanced, both hands holding the handle as I swung again, hitting him on the other side of the head. It sent him against the kitchen counter. Before he could get a word out I hit him a third time, getting the fucker on the floor and beat him until he was motionless.


I stood over his form, watching his chest rise and fall. Merely unconscious, good. The house was finally fucking quiet. I set the pan down on the table and took a sweat at the kitchen table next to Gallows. His body in my view as I looked at the dented pan and sighed.


Dia came in the door a moment later, wondering what happened as she set the bags down on the table. I didn't even glance at Gallows, flashed a smile and said he hit his head. She looked at me skeptically before shrugging it off, sensing now wasn't the time to discuss it. Josie didn't even bring it up, she looked at the kitchen and went straight to the guest room to read.


I waited there until Gallows woke up, watched as he pulled himself off the floor steadily. His hand on his head as he regained focus and lifted his eyes to meet mine. "So..." I said, the dented frying pan in front of me as I looked at him blankly. Oh, but the smile in my voice I couldn't contain as I looked at him. "Want to try that again?"


He stared a me, his gaze narrowing, brows furrowing, mind working at a response before he stood up straight and settled with an indifferent gaze. "Ask Graves." Was his response before he walked away and left the house.


Graves came back in shortly after, I looked at her as I did him until we both went our separate ways.

I fixed the windows that afternoon for Dia. Josie tried to help. By try I mean nearly break all her fingers with the hammer, heh. Afterwards, with time left in the evening and some tensions high Dia decided we should go to town. Which... Well, turned interesting.


I don't know how it happened exactly. All I know is one moment we were in town with plenty of people around, out and about Christmas shopping and the likes. The next moment there was a bang, mad cackling, and Gallows standing on top of a car with his scythe in hand. Not his sickle, his scythe. Graves next to the car, sirens already heading down the street. The building behind him set aflame, Graves lifted a bag (which was from a weapons store a few buildings down) and he pulled out what looked to be homemade bombs. Another building went up in flames, glass blowing apart everywhere.


Dia was screaming at him to stop, but he didn't. He leaped towards us, I picked up a pole and blocked off the attack against his scythe.


"Get Josie out of here."


"GALLOWS!"


"Get her the fuck out of here!" I yelled, trying to keep the scythe in place where I caught it. Dia hesitated, "Now isn't the time to fight, use your training and get her the fuck out!"


And she did. She grabbed Josie and bolted through the flaming streets for cover. Trying as she did so to rally others to safety as well. Josie was top priority, because I had no idea of the consequences should she die. Outside of a city that doesn't exist, her ties with Mister Creevey, there was a lot that could happen and I've seen dead bodies do plenty of strange things already.


Graves was at my side out of nowhere, a sharp punch knocked me aside and sent the pipe rolling. I narrowly dodged the scythe as it came down, the tip breaking off with the force he use. It flew off into my arm, I pulled it out as I got up, just as he raised the scythe. Uncaring of its condition he was prepared to use it all the same.


Which was when gunfire broke out. He stumbled forward as bullets impaled themselves within his still human body. Graves acted instantly, teleporting him behind a car. But the cops were closing in from all directions. A auburn haired woman with a shotgun nearly blew his head off, the captain radioing for them to surrender. Gallows whispered something to Graves and she did not acknowledge. There were gone, at the Captain's squad car a moment later. Gallows buried his scythe into the man's chest, carving his entire torso open. Launching off the old man he swung his scythe, slicing numerous figures in uniforms apart and tearing others open to bleed out. The woman screamed, firing the gun that almost hit him again. Shrap metal tearing through his clothes, he hunched over coughing. She came close, the butt of her gun cracking him in the head. Graves swung her shovel, hitting the woman in the head. She was down, unconscious with one swing. Gallows was coughing up blood, I could see it soaking through the white skeleton design.


Dia came up behind me, when I threw her a look she told me the others were in safe distance. She helped me up as I applied pressure to the wound, trying to stop the bleeding. Glancing over my shoulder I could see Gallows watching us, the fire dancing in his onyx eyes. Graves bent over him, supporting him as she teleported them out for good. I looked to Dia as she looked forward then down to me. I could see it plain as day written across her face. He tried to kill everyone, he was going to burn down the town.


The three of us returned to her house, I didn't want to bother with the hospital. It wasn't a bad injury, I stitched it shut just fine and made sure it was cleaned and wrapped too. The three of us sat, covered in smoke and other debris on Dia's couch. Completely exhausted after the stunt the duo pulled.


But I couldn't help but look at the positive side of things, "Least the windows look nice."

Dia's: Part One.

Ughs. Ughs. Ughs.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuckity fuck. Fuck fuck fuck.
I'm tired. I haven't written in a bit, sorry guys. Between Dia's house, Josie being... Well, Josie, and Gallows and Graves being insane. Then I left, so that drive was fun with Josie directly next to me. And home, can't forget all that fun and detective work. Just be aware, a lot of posts are going to be showing up
Ughs. Starting from the beginning.

So... Yea, car ride. I guess we'll start there. After, you know, telling the hospital a false story and sleeping around there for a few days. We stopped at a gas station and I checked over blog updates, that is when I found out about Lucas and Joel, as well as Drake. I stopped the car when the two ladies were asleep and kept the radio on as some sort of noise filter to keep them from hearing me. So yea, I screamed for a bit, stabbed a tree, then went back to the car. I didn't even pay the other two any mind, I wasn't thinking at that point. I just got in the car and drove, not wanting a single thought to appear.

I drove us back to Dia's place, flipping on the blinker as I turned into her driveway. Waking their asses up I drove to the end of the driveway, where we caught notice of an unpleasant surprise. Gallows and Graves were sitting on her front porch, he casually lifting a hand to wave Dia's wallet. "Oh fuck." I muttered beneath my breath, knowing what would come as I went to park the car.

Dia didn't wait for it to stop, she got out fuming. "You've got to be fucking kidding me." Pure shock now. "What the fuck are you two doing here?!"

I looked over my shoulder at Josie and said sternly, "Stay put." before grabbing the gun and exiting the car. I followed after Dia, landing next to her. She was red in the face, completely flustered by this unexpected situation.

The duo pulled themselves to a stand, Gallows skipping over to meet Dia less than halfway. He tossed her the wallet, hand propping on his bony hip as the other waggled, tsking her. "Ya should be more careful, girlie. Your wallet coulda landed in someone else's hands. I was just returning it is all."

"Could have fallen into-- you're a real piece of work, ya know that? There's no way it just 'dropped out!'" Dia paused a moment, shoving her wallet in her pocket. She looked to the sky for assistance, taking in a few deep breaths as she calmed some. "Thank you for your 'assistance'. Now, please LEAVE."

Dia and I moved a step in opposite directions as Gallows swung his scythe, purposely coming inches from her arm. It halted against his shoulder, resting there as his head cocked to one side. "But ya offered to take us in, girlie." He motioned between him and Graves.

Our host glared at Gallows and gestured back at Josie in the car. "That was when you were traveling with her. Don't you think you made that null and void when you tried to kill her?"

"Kill her? Please. I knew Shady would move her." He winked in my direction, I wasn't amused.

I glanced at Josie who was poking her head out of the car, squeaking briefly before hiding back inside. "You can't go somewhere else?" I dully asked.

Graves cocked her head as well, "We do not know the world. The time it took you to return home it took us to find the home. We have been waiting for only a few hours."

He shrugged off what Grave said. Not familiar with the world yet he was still trying to be. "Come on, we can have us that good time we talked about!"

My head turned into Dia's direction, deadpanned with a sigh. I could only guess just what Dia said to him. Especially after our conversation in the car. Which I will NOT post.

Dia scoffed and waved him off, storming inside the house and muttering to herself about skeletons and pests that didn't know how to go away.

By this time Josie was out of the car and behind me, watching. I looked to Graves sternly before back at Gallows, punching him without any word of warning. "You horses ass!" I hissed, going to punch him again as Josie grabbed me from behind. I dragged her a few steps until she managed to dig her shoes in halt me. Graves tilted the shovel in front of Gallows, as if to shield him. I glared at her, "Don't you fucking dare." I growled, breaking out of Josie's grasp and shoving aside the shovel. Gallows looked down as I looked up, angry. "Go and sit the fuck down before I end a lot of folks suffering and murder you."

Josie was sitting down on the porch already, despite the comment being directed at Gallows. "C-can we please just get along? Just a b-bit..."

Gallows lifted his hands as if surrendering, his eyes smirking as he walked backwards and sat on the porch as well. Leaning forward as he watched us. I turned to Graves, arms folding loosely as we made eye contact, both annoyed. Well, if she could be annoyed she probably was. Her eyes never changed in their empty display. "We're forming a truce or I'm going to go stab happy on both your faces. Your parents won't even recognize you when in the afterlife."

Graves turned away from Gallows, both our backs to the other two as we stood side by side. "Negotiations are in order. We will not kill you three while we are in your company for this period of time. So long as you provide us with more information on the Darklings."

I looked at her with surprise, "But I don't know much else other than what I told you. And that was a freebie as is."

"Then you will learn more, unless you wish for Dia's home to turn scarlet red?" I glared at her bluff. "It is only a matter of time with Gallows' itch."

"Alright..." I let out an exasperated sigh. "I will figure out a way-"

"You will return to Keystone and speak with those Darklings." I stared pointedly at her. "They spoke of the Executor with knowledgeable information last I heard." Her eyes narrowed by the slightest bit. "They may serve well with gaining more information."

I nodded once, scowling as I did so. "Fine. I return to Keystone, when I have the time required for such a trip. You," I turned halfway pointing at Gallows. "and him won't attack, kill, or do major damage to us while staying here."

"Acceptable terms." Graves replied as I turned, walking up the porch and into the house. Josie scrambled to her feet after me, following in suit as I entered the house.

I found Dia locked in her room, no doubt calming down. It's understandable, she's been through plenty in this short amount of time. I didn't disturb her, merely walked back into where the others were. Graves was seated at the kitchen table, watching Gallows hover around Josie. She was cooking a late dinner which gave me some relief. Unless her cooking was horrible, though somehow I doubt she'd actually cook if it was. She's a bit nicer than that. I glared at Gallows and after a minute or two more of harassing Josie he pulled back, purposely swinging his scythe my way. My eyes rolled in their sockets at his behavior, hoping to whoever that they would leave in due time.

Dia came out a little after Josie finished cooking. We all managed to sit together and eat (awkwardly), Gallows complained it wasn't "long pig" as he would come to do at every meal. Somehow he'd always manage to get what was in his cooler (don't ask) cooked, even after Dia said she wouldn't have that happening in her kitchen. He got violent momentarily, saying how he needed it, which Graves stepped in for to take action against. It was resolved quickly. There isn't much to say about the rest of the night. Dia showed us where to all sleep. Graves stood by a window, Dia went off to the bathroom, and Gallows approached Josie and I. He asked Josie if he could sleep in her bed, she hid under the covers and bawled. He turned and got half the sentence out before I threw my knife into the door as he quickly retreated, cackling madly.

Didn't hear from him the rest of the night. I left the guest room where Josie and I were settled into, she was fast asleep. Gallows wasn't on the couch, Graves was still positioned at the window. I slipped outside with my cellphone and dialed a familiar number. Joshua. I left him a voicemail concerning the ones he left me. He was angry about my no-show. I couldn't really say, "Oh, sorry, I got kidnapped and tortured by this beefy burnt up guy." so I told him it was complicated. Right... I then realized that's the worst thing you can say and told him I'd explain it if he wanted me to. Which then I realized was pretty pathetic. And I cursed on the call, realizing again that I was horrible with these sorts of things. Even worse from lack of contact.

He called back about an hour later.

"Hello?"

"^*%&$^#." He greeted with my name.

"Joshua." I returned.

"I got your message. What's complicated? You ditched our meeting."

He was angry, given the hour on top of the circumstances I wasn't surprised either. "I didn't ditch it. I was sort of dragged off..."

"Your family hasn't been in contact with you for a while now."

"I don't mean my family." I sighed.

Joshua chuckled spitefully. "What was it? A proxy?" I stared into the woods, my breathing stopping all together at that. "Thought I didn't know? I found out."

"...Did something-"

"Not personally. I put two and two together, #$@%$^%. Found your blog too, knew it was you instantly."

"So you know about... Well."

"Ferus? Heh, yea. I know about everything."

"Or close enough." I muttered, he agreed dully. I could faintly hear him tapping the keyboard in the background. "Then you're mad about me not telling you."

"And the funeral." Joshua said flatly. "I can't believe you'd miss Billy's funeral. Then you ran away from me in the store."

I shook my head, "Caught that, eh?"

"You broke your promise. Our family's promise."

"No. Not quite." I leaned back against a tree. "I broke my promise to always be there. I kept my promise to always protect you. I tried to protect Billy, but Prosper-"

"I know."

"And Smiles is just..."

"Gone."

"Yea, Billy said he saw her over seas." Joshua's breath hitched for a second. "What?"

He coughed lightly, "Nothing."

"Tell me."

"Fuck off." He paused, "I mean, just no."

"Joshua. We need to talk anyways. I'm not home yet-"

"You haven't been home in over a year, coming close to two now, we both know this."

I scowled. "Yes... My other home."

"In the woods."

I punched the ground. "Look, when I get home can we just reschedule? We need to talk. We both have answers to give one another."

He paused again. "No."

"Jo-"

"No." He hung up.

I tried calling again, he didn't respond. Great.

I spent my time awake all night, everything I can remember swimming around in my head. Lucas and Joel, Drake, fuck... I didn't even get to see them off. Just more funerals I'd never get to attend. Fuck me.

So to cut it short, yea, I went to breakfast with tired, red eyes the next day. Again, Josie cooked and Gallows complained about not having human flesh to eat. He eventually just cooked it on a grill outside. In his boxers and skeleton jacket, which was unzipped much like how Dia described him to wear it at the warehouse, might I add. I looked at Dia and she just shook her head and walked away stiffly. I suppressed and chuckles.

Graves cleaned up, which was unexpected. Seeing that open window I dragged Josie outside and tossed her for self-defense training. I can't even begin to write how pathetic this experience was. She squeaked and dodged or got hit and sniffled. Josie isn’t out of shape; she’s tiny as hell and is actually a skilled runner (no pun intended). But she lacks training, and while I’m not professionally trained I know the ins and outs. If she is so desperate to live through these times she’ll need to not rely on others. Independence is key; if she learns to take care of herself she can someday hope to take care of others. She needed positioning but caught on quicker than I expected. It was actually attacking and defending that she had trouble with, Josie would flinch when in defensive mode and would miss or use barely any force in attack mode. It’s a shame, she’s trained in cross country running and track, with her figure if she applied those practices in a fight it would do her wonders. Cross country runners have to train for endurance, on top of which it is controlling your speed. Track is similar, depending on how long the race is. Sports are a great way to learn control.

If she could get up that aggression when being attacked, confront her attacker and fight back without concern for risks, things would be far easier. Her figure as is presents a perfect model for using speed to do more damage than her actual strength. Velocity is exactly what Road Runner uses and she’s skinnier than Josie. While Road Runner is inhumanly strong she relies on velocity to impact her foes. Example being against Prosper. She either gained distance depending on the strength of the hit she was going to use and where the hit would land, or propel herself off of things and collide into him. Josie might not be able to do anything as effective (power-wise) since she’s only human, but she could apply alike methods which would be just as harsh when she’s confronted with an opponent she cannot escape from.

Luckily, and unfortunately, she does get riled up at the mention of her parents. While that does assist her strength it also makes her clumsy. Some say a “berserk mode” empowers people. Sure… It boosts hits in a videogame, or to street fighters that get insulted in a fight. But it makes them sloppy, they come at you with sheer force all at once, which means they are going to have to get you down in that time frame before they tire out or fuck up. This applies to Josie as well. She flew into a fit, demanding I don’t mention them, so naturally I pushed further. She because telling me, which escalated into her yelling, and finally screaming until she attacked me. It was a good hit, very forceful, but she was sloppy and those openings were clearly seen. Like any opponent I took advantage and she ended up on her back a few seconds later, panting like a dog that finally learned its place.

I hadn’t notice Dia ran off during that time. Gallows was upon us seeing how Graves disappeared off somewhere. He “nudged” Josie with his boot (now dressed, compared to before) and I swatted at him to go away. He swatted back, which escalated into him mimicking everything I did physically. Hit him in the arm, he hit back. Shove him away, he shoved back. I pulled out the knife in warning; he pulled forward his scythe with an unseen smile glinting within his gaze. Dia came back a bit shaken up, Graves appearing behind Gallows when I looked over. I told Josie to clean herself up while I headed over and walked with Dia back into the house. She was afraid of her own weakness, she ran when she saw us all training apparently. Fearful of her own mortality and unable to face her weaknesses. I offered her assistance physically, and was more than willing to listen and give her any advice I can mentally and emotionally. Something I offer everyone, but it means just a bit more to those I consider friends. Dia is one of the few I can put faith into in these times.

That night I was woken up by Graves who teleported me instantly into Dia’s room. Gallows stepped away from the bed and I rounded on him before he informed me Dia was having nightmares. I skeptically looked over his bed wear before directing them out of the room. I sat on the bed with her until she calmed a long while later. I learned early on you do not wake the restless, so I soothed all I could and when she began to somewhat calm I woke her. She was confused and scared, I told her about what was witnessed and she couldn’t hide it. The terrors her mind brought to her while she slept, and I wasn’t one to judge given my own. Once calm she went back to sleep and I left the room. Gallows stole my bed and Graves was back at the window, staring out at the blackness all around.

I wanted to ask her what she was seeing but I didn’t. I sat at the kitchen table and relaxed, skimming though my phone for saved information and picking up on studying it. It’s mostly why I didn’t post for a while, especially while at Dia’s. I was doing everything from my phone and had no patience to record it all into a blog post. I only took notes to apply to these posts here, among other things.

And that pretty much ends the first night and day at Dia’s house.

Sigh.

It's been quite hectic since the Ferus incident. Tortured with him to spending time healing (and locked up) in Advocate's home, then straight to his Fright Night, hospital, Dia's house for a few weeks, then home. I could have updated from my cellphone but that's a pain in the ass, and Twitter only allows for so much, I'd rather not spam the damn thing. The kids are alright, though.

I got in touch with Joshua, things aren't ok there. Not in the least. Josie is still a pathetic mess, a pathetic mess with a black eye given by yours truly. More on that later. I saw Proxy 85 standing at the border of the wards, he wasn't doing anything other than looking around. Seemed fixated on the swing, despite acting like an emotionless blob he's still a kid. So I'm wondering if there is that still in him. Road Runner ambushed him, nearly slit his throat but Prosper intervened. He grabbed her by the hair and slammed her into the ground, they fought briefly before he grabbed her around the neck and they both teleported out of there. It seems Road Runner is intent on killing everyone now. I'm still wondering if the Caged One is right... If I'm really on her list. I guess only time will tell, eh?

Proper posts on what happened at Dia's place will be following this. Then I'll post Lenore's information that I have put together between files found. Josie will come after that, followed by Joshua. I have a lot to post, so if I spam the dashboard, well, whoops. I don't really care. Nice to finally be bothering you all with tiny text and my rambling shit. Heh.

I'm setting up modifications to the mansion, hopefully improving defenses and comfort for those residing here.


If you need me you know how to contact me by now. I'll be in the cellar, working.
Posts will be coming shortly.


Stay safe,
-Shady